Surah Al-Imran, one of the intellectual treasures of the Holy Quran, contains verses that, like a radiant lamp, illuminate the path of insight and the quest for truth. Verse thirteen of this Surah, expressed in profound and spiritual language, refers to a historical event in the Battle of Badr which, beyond its apparent occurrence, carries deep lessons from the unseen realms and inner discernment. This verse, by delineating the confrontation between the two groupsbelievers and disbelieversindicates the divine lawfulness in the aid granted to the faithful and the defeat of the unbelievers. In this treatise, relying upon the valuable lectures, the verse is rewritten in a manner that elucidates the esoteric teachings, exegetical critiques, and the necessity of insight in understanding the Holy Quran. The aim is to enable the reader to approach this verse with a renewed perspective and, through the lens of insight, comprehend the hidden truths therein.
قَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ آيَةٌ فِي فِئَتَيْنِ الْتَقَتَا ۖ فِئَةٌ تُقَاتِلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَأُخْرَىٰ كَافِرَةٌ يَرَوْنَهُمْ مِثْلَيْهِمْ رَأْيَ الْعَيْنِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُؤَيِّدُ بِنَصْرِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۗ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لِأُولِي الْأَبْصَارِ
Translation: Verily, there was for you a sign in the two groups that met: one fighting in the cause of Allah and the other disbelieving, who saw them with the eye as twice their number. And Allah supports whom He wills with His aid. Indeed, in this is a lesson for those endowed with insight.
This verse of the Holy Quran, like a mirror reflecting truth, points to an unseen reality that has received scant attention in certain Islamic societies. The unseen (ghayb) is that hidden truth beyond material sight, perceivable only through inner insight. However, some believers, due to the predominance of a materialistic outlook, remain deprived of the recognition of these realms. Although such groups might verbally profess the concept of the unseen, their lives and thoughts remain confined to the tangible, thereby missing the profound dimensions of esoteric knowledge. This verse is an invitation towards awakening and the recognition of truths that transcend matter and appearancetruths that shine like stars in the sky of knowledge.
The phrase "قَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ آيَةٌ" (There was for you a sign) acts as a key unlocking the doors of divine knowledge. This phrase not only alludes to a historical incident in the Battle of Badr but also expresses a universal and lawful principle from which all believers and indeed humanity may derive instruction. Contrary to some interpretations which restrict this address exclusively to disbelievers, this verse also addresses the believers, urging them to contemplate the divine signs. This lawfulness exemplifies Allahs wisdom in guiding and supporting the faithful, flowing like a clear stream through the course of history.
The term "أُولِي الْأَبْصَارِ" refers to those believers endowed with inner insightindividuals who, beyond mere outward sight, perceive truths with the eye of the heart. This expression is not directed at polytheists or disbelievers but rather at those faithful who, like mountaineers standing on the peaks of knowledge, gaze upon the horizons of the unseen. Some interpretations erroneously attribute this phrase to the polytheists, thereby missing the essence of the verse, for the polytheists lack such insight. This point underscores the necessity of cultivating inner insight for the comprehension of Quranic verses.
This verse follows verse twelve of Surah Al-Imran, which states:
قُلْ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا سَتُغْلَبُونَ وَتُحْشَرُونَ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ ۚ وَبِئْسَ الْمِهَادُ
Translation: Say to those who disbelieve: You will be overcome and gathered to Hell, and what an evil resting place it is.
Verse thirteen elucidates this divine promise by depicting the defeat of the disbelievers and the victory of the believers through divine assistance. This linkage demonstrates the coherence of the Quranic verses which, like a connected chain, present divine knowledge to humanity.
Tafsir al-Mizan, as one of the eminent Shia exegeses, possesses comprehensiveness and depth, yet due to its reliance on literary materials and compilation of various perspectives, it is not immune to criticism. Despite its numerous merits, in some cases it refrains from providing definitive interpretations because of dependence on conjectures and uncertainties. This critique is not intended to reject the work but rather to improve and complement exegetical approaches.
One of the criticisms directed at some exegeses, including al-Mizan, is the presentation of multiple conjectures that sometimes lead to confusion. In Quranic sciences, interpretation must rest upon certainty and reasoning, not suspicion and doubt. Conjectures, like a breeze shaking the branches of the tree of knowledge, may divert the reader from the path of truth. This verse, expressed in decisive language, emphasises the realities of the unseen and should not be caught in the trap of conjectures.
The phrase "يَرَوْنَهُمْ مِثْلَيْهِمْ رَأْيَ الْعَيْنِ" refers to the disbelievers perception of the believers as twice their number. Some exegetes have limited this perception to illusions or figments, yet such an interpretation may disregard the actual presence of unseen beings such as angels. This verse could be referring to an unseen reality, which the disbelievers observe only superficially due to their lack of insight. This critique underscores the necessity of belief in the unseen and the avoidance of materialistic outlooks.
This verse likely alludes to the presence of angels and other unseen entities supporting the believers. These beings, whose roles are repeatedly mentioned in the Holy Quran, constitute realities beyond mere illusions. Angels, like divine warriors, hasten to assist the faithful at critical moments, and their presence signifies divine victory. This point accentuates the importance of belief in unseen realms and their role in the triumph of the believers.
The disbelievers in this verse experience only ruyat arab (a harsh and terrifying perception), but are deprived of ruyat laf (the perception of divine grace). Believers, especially saints and prophets, possess the ability to perceive both types of vision. This distinction, analogous to seeing a mere shadow on a wall versus beholding the sun in the sky, indicates varying degrees of faith and insight.
Religious knowledge, due to excessive focus on verbal and literary discussions, has sometimes distanced itself from the prophetic inheritance. This knowledge, which ought to flow like a clear spring delivering divine teachings to society, in some instances has been confined to superficial debates. This critique is an invitation to reconsider scholarly approaches and return to profound and esoteric teachings.
Consuming lawful sustenance is akin to fertile soil that nurtures the tree of knowledge. True scholars who have been blessed with this blessing have enjoyed greater clarity and insight. This point emphasises the influence of material factors on spirituality and insight, urging believers to observe this principle.
Mysticism without a foundation in Sharia is like a rootless tree incapable of bearing the fruit of knowledge. The mystic must be committed to the Sharia, and the jurist must cultivate both knowledge and spiritual path. This synthesis, like the blending of light and water, leads to human perfection.
Unsubstantiated claims, such as miracles or instantaneous travel, are like bubbles on the waters surface, lacking permanence and credibility. Such assertions must be supported by authentic evidence to avoid unfounded statements. Religious knowledge must be founded on reason and evidence.
Physical and mental health, like a well-trained horse, assists the believer in the path of service to religion. This principle invites believers to care for their well-being with the intention of nearness to God, so that they may be ready to serve the truth in times of need.
A compassionate and maximally inclusive approach, even towards non-Muslims, is like a breeze that causes the flowers of knowledge to bloom. This method emphasises the importance of tolerance and love in inviting others to religion and can aid in the expansion of divine knowledge.
Verse thirteen of Surah Al-Imran, like a window into unseen realms, invites the believers to contemplate the divine signs and to nurture inner insight. This verse, transcending the historical event of the Battle of Badr, articulates universal principles that are instructive for all believers. The critiques presented here, particularly regarding Tafsir al-Mizan, stress the necessity of avoiding conjecture and materialistic outlooks. The presence of angels and unseen beings, the distinction between harsh and gentle perception, and the significance of insight constitute key messages of this verse. Furthermore, critiques of religious knowledge, emphasis on lawful sustenance, the integration of Sharia and mysticism, and preparedness for service are among the lessons derived from this exegesis. This verse calls believers towards a deeper faith and profound knowledge.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
